3 Rock Bands That Should Be Household Names but Aren’t

This list isn’t aimed at the fan with a sprawling record collection. It’s for the listener who doesn’t know any other song by The Verve besides “Bitter Sweet Symphony”. Better yet, this list is for the fans who first heard “Bitter Sweet Symphony” in a Publix commercial. While many songs become famous, the bands that perform them may not be household names. Meanwhile, some fall below the radar of the average music fan, trumped by poor timing, changing trends, or a lack of support from the record label.

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While the artists below had varying degrees of success, they didn’t become household names. The first on the list is probably the most well-known of the bunch, but in the U.S., most might think the band name is just some guy.

Travis

Outside the U.K., Scottish band Travis isn’t a household name. Travis rose to prominence in the late 90s amid a rise of one-word post-Britpop soft rockers like Coldplay and Keane. In a just world, Travis would fill stadiums, and Fran Healy’s “Turn” would be as ubiquitous as Chris Martin’s “Yellow”. The Man Who (1999) and The Invisible Band (2001) are gorgeous records showcasing what made Paul McCartney a fan.

Pale Divine

Before Richard Fortus joined Guns N’ Roses and before his career as an in-demand session ace to Rihanna and The Psychedelic Furs, he played guitar in a St. Louis band called Pale Divine. Originally called The Eyes, Fortus’s group signed to Atlantic Records and released only one album, Straight To Goodbye (1991). Pale Divine sounded like British post-punk, and singer Michael Schaerer borrowed heavily from Robert Smith and Jim Morrison. Even in the earliest club days, Fortus seemed destined for big things. Unfortunately, Pale Divine’s debut album title also forecasted its fate.

Big Star

Big Star became the favorite band of many legends. The Memphis group didn’t sell a lot of records, but they are lauded by everyone from R.E.M. to The Replacements to Paul Stanley of KISS. Alex Chilton’s songwriting shaped generations of bands, though his own never enjoyed much commercial success, thanks in part to Stax Records’ inability to get Big Star’s debut album #1 Record in the stores. And if you want to hear flawless jangly power pop, check out “September Gurls” on Big Star’s second album, Radio City. Some view the follow-up Third as Chilton’s solo album. Regardless, it’s a cult masterpiece.

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